New member

Hi all!

I've been reading this forum for a while now. Always have enjoyed the posts and information. Infact, alot of what I've read here influenced my 6860FX purchase which I now have a question or two about.

Today I ran 3Dmark and only scored a 7134. Being just out of the box with a few games loaded on, does that sound reasonable? I was thinking it would score a little higher, as in closer to 8000. Can anyone reccomend to me and provide a link to some good nvidia drivers? Currently, Im running Omegas ( They are all I ever ran on my ATI and always had great results with them ) but I believe he is more focused on ATI's. Infact I think he always gave my ATI cards a little more attention than those with NVidia based rigs. This is actually my first nvidia rig and I've yet to learn much about their drivers. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should use to oc my card some? I thought ntune would oc, but I cant figure out where to do it.

Man, I'm just full of questions, aren't I?

Also, what's probably the best processor upgrade I could do for my lappy? I'd like to try and dump my whimpy 1.83 5550. It seems to handle BF2 and CSS pretty well though. When I throw FSX at it, it slows down a good bit. I have been an avid flight simmer for 10 or so years and I'll tell you guys one thing about MSFS... It's probably the most power hungry game/simulation out there. I wasn't expecting anything over 19 or so frames on avg with sliders set about midway, but I'd like to try and advance from FS9. With all my addons though, It would almost make sense for me to stay with FS9 for a while longer. Infact, I think I'm going to load it onto this pc. I'm sure Ill get 30-40fps atleast with nearly full sliders. The hardware has finally caught up to FS9.

If you have read this post of mine thus far, well thank you for your time and patience.

Thank all of you in advance for any answers/comments.

Take care guys!

Chase

 

Your 3Dmark score looks on par with what most people are reporting. This is a good place to download drivers although installing them are a little tricky so read the instructions
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showforum=93.
You can use the Nvidia Control Panel to OC assuming the driver allows it, some do and some don't. You could also download rivatuner
http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163
As far as upgrading the processor I personally think the t8300 is a good price but many feel that the t9300 is better because of the extra cache, can't go wrong with either so choose based on your budget
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=2+50001157+40000343+1389627504&name=Mobile

Edit: Where are my manners...welcome to nbr

 

Awsome, which set of drivers are my best bet?

 

Thats a tough question because it varies from game to game, there is a thread discussing this very topic but I haven't bothered to read it yet but it can probably answer better than me (175.63 works fine for me).
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=251950

 

have you tried gaming on battery and checked the frame rates while using 175.63. some people said that it down clocks on them... all though thoes drivers worked very well for me.

 

Here's another question...

Are fx's pretty strong gaming laptops? Im new to the whole world of powerhouse lappy's (always been a desktop user). All I know is I've been looking at this thing for a while and have enjoyed every second I've had it, but Im curious to know where exactly the FX stands in society.

And sorry, I think I lost my manners also.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

I read the posts about gaming on battery and the performance hit and found it very interesting and meant to try it out just haven't had the time. Once I get home I'll try it out, I have noticed that if I alt-tab out of a game that within a few seconds my card downclocks to 200 core 100 memory but jumps back up immediately when I maximize the game again (powermizer I guess?).

The 8800M gts in the FX is the 2nd strongest gpu available in laptops right now. But compared to desktops its only high mid-range close to the performance of the 9600gt. It handles every game I've tried at 1440x900 and most at max settings even with the weak processor.

 

yes, powermizer... but depending on which inf file is used, determines how your card will run on battery or off.

 

I just ran a test of Crysis by loading a lvl and recording a Fraps benchmark then reloading the same lvl and running Fraps again while on battery. I thought that maybe this wouldn't be accurate but the result was immediate and I didn't need any fps checker, the game turned into a slide show.

Plugged in: Min-12 Max-31 Avg-21.33
Battery: Min-3 Max-27 Avg-8.93

Note that the 27 on battery was a test where mid game I plugged the power cord back in and that the Avg would probably below 8 because I did that twice (fps changed instantly). So you were right 175.63 does not play well while on battery.

Edit: And yes I was running high-performance power setting with the card at stock speeds both tests. Using Ntune (rivatuner shows weird clocks) it appears that while on battery the card clocks at 200 core 100 memory even while gaming.

 

The FX's are very strong laptops, but better ones exist for 2 to 4 times the price. Dell XPS, Alienware, Voodoo all have laptop that do better that The Gateway FX series. A review I read summed it up I think best (altough I can't find it) It's the best mid-level gaming laptop, ever. Before The Gateway FX line, gaming laptops less than $2000 were unheard of.
Seanno

 

Probably the anandtech review of the FX.

The FX series is the best, bar none, gaming laptop for under $1,700. Once you get there or higher, there are other options which provide more performance.

 

Well, I found a FX7026 at a local store. So I'm considering returning the lappy for it. I love the laptop, but the desktop just has more power. I cant decide what to do.

Any advice?

 

Do you need a laptop? That's the first question you should be working on.

 

hummmm....still with go with the laptop, becuase you can build a better gaming rig for that amount of money....but looking very nice indeed!

 

yeah, what dtwn83 said....

 

Not really, I have an HP if I do. I've put my lappy up infront of my desktop monitor and have been using my old G15 and G7

 

well then....better go with the desktop.

 

But I like my fx, it's pretty tight to have a gaming laptop...

This is one of those "you can't have your cake and eat it too" ordeals.

 

well, i probably can't understand your point of view because i can't just toss away 1300 bucks just to be tight. but here is what i 'm gonna say, if you like the laptop and have the money, go for it. otherwise, go for a desktop, it is way better in terms of gaming experience, upgradibility and value for your dollar.

 

Well I guess it is going back to the store... I have returned 3 headsets since friday thinking they were all bad mics, but a little investigation shows they were fine and that my mic jack is bad. Seems like the gateway has been going off the mic on the top of the lcd.

Sucks, I really liked this thing.

 

I still can't decide. Im downloading the Crysis demo. If it runs smooth, I'm keeping it.

I feel like I've "bonded" to this FX... I think I'll be keeping it.

 

you can pick which mic it will use.....

 

HIJACK!

My Creative HS-900's mic doesn't seem to gel too well with the FX, not quite sure if it's a mic/Vista/laptop issue.

@ OP: If you like it that much, and can afford it, keep it by all means.

 

well guys, you made me break out my mic as well...lol

mine is working fine. wonder what the difference is....

 

Well, Crysis runs quite nicely to be honest. So, should I keep to mobility I wont use much and go for a desktop that would score 12000 easily in 3dmark or keep this FX and feel like a badass?

 

feel like a badass and keep the lappy. the more comfortable you start to feel with the keybaord, the more you will use it. and you can always match your high res screen at home with one for your laptop.

 

i can tell that you really like the lappy, it would be a shame to take it away from you

 

I do, but then again I could have a velocity micro system at bb that is on clearance, dump 2- 8800gt's in it (which are also on sale) and go get me a pretty 19" monitor for only 100 more...

How long will this FX be able to run newer games in your all's opinion?

I think I will keep it, and get me a T9300 in the next few months.

I just played the Crysis Demo and I was highly impressed with it's performance. Ofcourse it was all on medium, but looked beautiful none-the-less..

When I buy the T9300, how complicated is it to install? Just line up all the pins and put a thick layer of thermal grease on top and I'm set?

I've also had a few complications running some Addons for Flight Simulator 9. All my reality xp gauges (around $200 worth) don't seem to be Vista 64 compatible. Kinda depressing, but what the hell...

 

Chase...go to the sticky for this forum regarding CPU install/replacement ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=216065 ). I just did a T9300 on my 6860 and it is a HUGE improvement...had the money had to pull the trigger.

Most of us are running Crysis on Med or higher with the Gateway...this laptop is awesome because you run and gun and still be on the "run" with the portability.

Go to Raid 0 with the extra bay and have a wonderful day....

Cheers

 

If I do raid, I wouldn't be able to just grab another 320 and set them up, wouldn't I have to buy 2 of the same drives and then install vista? Could I use the os disc that came with the system?

 

raid 0 is alright and all, but crash one drive and your toast.

just run 2 320 gig hard drives and call it a day. out of a million people. about 500 of them are running raid. (speculation of course) *LOL*
them sata drives move plenty fast already. and if one drive crashes...at least you have a chance to get the data back!

edit: tell you what. when my frind flynnaz gets online...ill ask him to run a game under raid and ill run one with one drive so we can really see if it's a big enough difference.

 

Yes..on both counts. x64 is very user friendly with Raid 0, but you will have to back up your system with Gateway system disk (or other software) and any data you already installed. FYI, I didn't and had to do some driver maintenance/recovery in order to get full functionality with some items on the lappy. Not a big deal but slightly painful in time. The system OS disk works great to reformat your Raid 0 upon install....just take the leap.

 

Yupper...I agree somewhat. I did the Raid 0...wondered what the heck did I do that for? And essentially "loose" 320 GB of HD space. Eventually, when I go back to Iraq and have some more time, I will adjust and go back to dual 320 GB drives....

 

Or...do Raid 1...it is supported by the SYS.

 

hey buellride...what is your windows score...a 5.9 right for drives in raid...

 

I believe it is 5.8, don't remember, and I am not at my lappy right now. Work. But I never look at the high number just the lowest and try to improve!! ;-)

 

well you aint gonna improve that memory score since that is more than likely your lowest score...lol

not unless you go get an amd, then you'll get a 5.9 on memory...lol

you would think an extreme chip would get a 5.9, but nope.

 

i'm gonna say a bit less than 2 years

 

oh yeah...look at the 7950 gtx and it still can handle todays games. remember...they're are many ways to play these new games and game makers would loose money making brand new games just to run on a 600 dollar video card...they would go broke. and the newer games will beable to run in dx9 and dx10 mode..just as some do now. they want the whole market..and not just the 9800's. crysis was ahead of it's time and paving the way for more intense graphics, but the game is still enjoyable at med settings and a decent frame rate. and considering an 8800 gtx card cant even run the game in very high with aa turned on. so that should tell you something... and yet people are still buying 8800 gt's gts's and gtx's. you cant future proof your self. if you want to get close to that. buy a sager. 9200 series.

 

Agree...but the beauty of the p-6860FX is that you get everything you really want in a laptop for a great price...that 9200 series is capping out at around $3497 or so with the same set up that I have right now on my Gateway...about a 1900 dollar difference......

Its your money

 

your telling me...look at all the money i spent on mine...rotflmao to get it where it is now.
total spent 2600 bucks

check the sig bellow

 

The other really great thing is you can make it a killer machine at your own pace in your own good time. The P6860 plays all of the games you want it to play right out of the box, but if you want to go further and make it a killer machine you can easily do it. I bought a T9300, which did a bunch for my game playing and 3d mark 06 score (increased by 1400) and I bought another hard disk only because it was cheap ($64) 250gig. So all in all, so far I spent an additional $400 on it. Of course I bought it on sale for $150 off at BB. Now, if you add up what I've got into this (about $1650), No other brand of laptop can come anywhere near it's performance for less than $2800. Not too bad..........Kudos to Gateway for making these great laptops.
Seanno

 

yep and for another 200 to 350 bucks you can add a high def screen 1920x1200. and still be under 2k

 

Woah! 1920x1200? Hmm, sounds nice.

I've become buddy-buddy with the pc sales mgr at my local best buy. He told me to go home and run crysis ( i picked it up today ) and that if I wanted better performace that he would get me the FX Desktop with no restock fee. Anyone heard of what those benchmark at?

 

sure...start there and work your way down to the single 8800's and a chip close to yours.

http://service.futuremark.com/searc...0&hardwareshadows=-100&softwarefiltering=-100

 

Looks like they are getting around 10k or 11... sound about right?

 

i remember the May issue of PC Gamer magazine did a review for the FX desktop, you can check it out